Carey Wright began a four-year term July 1 as Maryland Superintendent of Schools. Wright has led that department since the former superintendent, Mohammed Choudhry, resigned last summer.
A former Mississippi State Superintendent of Education, she listed her priorities as improving student outcomes by collaborating with local school districts, leaders and educators; aligning statewide literacy instruction to the Science of Reading; enhancing assessment and accountability models; and working with the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future legislation.
“This is a golden moment in public education that calls for transformational change with all boats rowing in the same direction,” Wright said in a news release. “From the highest levels of state government to our local school systems, we are all guided by our north star of improving student outcomes and working with teachers and leaders to make that happen.”
Wright was born in Prince George’s County and attended public schools there. She has been a teacher and administrator in Montgomery, Prince George’s and Howard counties’ school systems.
Wright was associate superintendent for special education and student services associate superintendent for special education and student services at Montgomery County Public Schools from May 2003 to July 2009.
She is the fourth woman to lead Maryland’s State Department of Education.
In May, the Maryland Department of Education announced a $6.85 million, four-year philanthropic partnership with the nonprofit Ibis Group to increase literacy outcomes. The money will be used mostly for professional development for educators and administrators as of July 1.
The training revolves around the Science of Reading, an evidence-based instructional philosophy that stresses skills development in phonics, fluence, vocabulary and comprehension, according to the education department.
“Strong literacy skills are the gateway to better futures for students in our schools, and we simply cannot do this work alone,” Wright said. “We need collaborators, and this investment from private partners increases access to professional development that will help to enhance educator effectiveness. We are grateful for the shared commitment to Maryland educators and our work to increase literacy outcomes in all schools.”
According to the department, literacy rates are improving. Results from the 2022-23 Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) were higher than pre-pandemic performance.
Third-grade proficiency rates reached a nine-year high of 48 percent. More students across all grades moved closer to achieving proficiency than in previous years, according to the education department. However, Maryland’s ranking on the nation’s report card decreased to 40th in 2022 based on fourth-grade scores. Among eighth graders, the ranking dropped to 25th during the same time period.
